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Health Sciences
Mega-analysis identifies gene variants associated with glaucoma in people of African ancestry
A Penn Medicine analysis aims to fill knowledge gaps and help guide clinical decisions for a group particularly vulnerable to developing glaucoma.
Breaching the blood-brain barrier
A team of researchers in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has devised a method to deliver mRNA into the brain using lipid nanoparticles, potentially advancing treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and seizures.
Two-and-a-half decades of research in Malawi
As the country’s life expectancy has risen, the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health has shifted its current and future research to aging.
A successful new experiment opens potential for future bridge-to-transplant approach
A team at Penn Medicine has achieved the first successful external liver perfusion using a porcine liver, raising hopes for a possible effective option to “bridge” critically ill patients to liver transplant.
Who, What, Why: John Button on a neglected tropical disease
The second-year student in the School of Dental Medicine is working to raise awareness of a gangrenous infection called noma and map where cases happen.
Palliative care study demonstrates scalable strategy to support hospitalized patients
The largest-ever study of palliative care shows “default orders” in electronic medical records nearly triples palliative care consultation rates for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, or kidney failure.
COVID-19 vaccine is strongly effective for children and adolescents during delta and omicron
A health record analysis shows that the risk of infection and severe illness is significantly lower for those who are vaccinated, and cardiac conditions do not increase.
Protein partners identified as potential key for fetal bone development
A pair of proteins, YAP and TAZ, could contribute to the development of healthy, strong bones by directing early cell movement and blood vessel generation.
Trauma surgeon works to confront firearm injury at its source
Elinore Kaufman, LDI senior fellow and assistant professor of surgery in the Perelman School of Medicine, focuses on helping patients and communities with firearm violence.
Books, babies, and bonding: How a passion for literacy benefits the hospital’s smallest patients
Whitney Zachritz, an intensive care nursery clinical practice leader at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, spends part of her week in the 38-bed neonatal intensive care unit curating books for parents to read to their newborns.
In the News
UPenn hosts free online panel for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion
The Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative, led by José Bauermeister and Jessica Halem of the School of Nursing, will host a free online panel in April on the integration of LGBTQ+ people in the workforce.
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How to die in good health
PIK Professor Ezekiel Emanuel says that incessantly preparing for old age mistakes a long life for a worthwhile one.
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Mayor Parker’s plan to ‘remove the presence of drug users’ from Kensington raises new questions
Shoshana Aronowitz of the School of Nursing and Ashish Thakrar of the Perelman School of Medicine comment on the lack of specificity in Philadelphia’s plan to remove drug users from Kensington and on the current state of drug treatment in the city.
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Homeward bound: When a Penn Medicine nurse was diagnosed with uterine cancer, she turned to the service dogs she helped to train
A profile highlights Maria Wright of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, from her volunteer work connecting people with service dogs to her cancer diagnosis and her own journey applying for a service dog.
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How many patients would recommend their Philly-area hospital to family and friends? Check your local hospital
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has been named one of the most recommended acute-care facilities by patients in the Philadelphia area.
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